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Re: Lineage of MG's B engine

To: bishel@lobby.ti.com (Geoff Bishel)
Subject: Re: Lineage of MG's B engine
From: phile@stpaul.gov (Philip J Ethier)
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 08:57:02 -0600 (CST)
Geoff Bishel writes > 
> (Am I showing my ignorance publicly by questioning Scott?)

Naw, you can get away with it sometimes.  Just ask him about Cowley Spridgets.

> that the B engine was a descendant of a Ford Tractor engine, and that parts
> could actually be bought thru a Ford tractor dealer.  

No, it is the SAAB V-4 engines for which parts may be so obtained.  The
engine was originally designed in USA for the 1960 Ford Cardinal, a FWD
car which was scrapped in favor of the Falcon.  Later showed up in the
Mustang II mid-engine show car, the Ford Taunus, various SAABs, and several
English and German Fords.  It grew into the V6 in the Capri and finally
came home to America.  Since it also still sees use in Ford combines and
whatnots (although not designed as a tractor engine), you can indeed buy
parts from a Ford tractor dealer, a fact that has saved many a SAAB
freak's bacon.  I even saw one used to run a big animated portion of a
Tournament of Roses Parade float.  I used to tell people that I had a Ford
engine in my SAAB.  When they expressed disbelief, I would pull out the
dipstick and show them the engraved "FoMoCo".  SAAB never built the
engines, they were built by Ford Cologne.

> Hmmm, Chevy inline 6 to MG B engine, Buick V8 to Rover V8... Let's hope 
> BL gets dibs on the Corvette ZR1 engine or Cadillac Northstar V8... 

No, I want them to build a light car with the Quad 4.

> Geoff "How wide is a Midget's engine compartment?" Bishel

Although V8s have been stuffed into Spridgets, I think a 13B Mazda rotary
would be better.

Phil Ethier, THE RIGHT LINE, 672 Orleans St, Saint Paul, MN  55107-2676
h (612) 224-3105  w (612) 266-6244    phile@stpaul.gov
"Europa drivers are laid back"


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